The official attendance of 18,602 for Watford’s Championship defeat against Norwich City on Saturday was the highest the Hornets have achieved at Vicarage Road since December 2007.

The main reason it has taken the Golden Boys more than seven years to once again break the 18,000 barrier is down to the East Stand, which was renamed the Sir Elton John Stand in December.  

It was closed to the public in 2008 and didn’t fully reopen until Boxing Day last year. On Saturday, the majority of the stand was full.

The attendance was also boosted by an impressive travelling contingent from Norwich. A total of 2,140 Canaries supporters crammed into the away section in the Vicarage Road end.

Saturday’s number was marginally less than that of December 2007 when 18,698 fans watched the Hornets suffer a 4-2 home defeat against Queens Park Rangers in the Championship.

The highest attendance figure the Hornets achieved without the Sir Elton John Stand in use came during the 2009/2010 campaign.

Newcastle United were the visitors to Vicarage Road on that day. The Magpies completed a 2-1 victory over the Hornets and the game was watched by 17,210 people.

The last time Watford broke the 20,000 mark was over a decade ago. It was during the 2003/2004 season in the FA Cup third round.

Chelsea were the visitors to Vicarage Road and the Golden Boys produced an impressive display to claim a 2-2 draw and force a replay at Stamford Bridge. The attednace for that match was 21,121.

The Blues eventually went through to the fourth round by winning their home tie 4-0.